Sign in with your social account?

News

​ How to Take Advantage of Seasonal Predictability in the Market

Previous research has argued that tax-motivated trading at the turn of the year drives return seasonality and the January effect (Sias 2007). In December, investors sell losers to realize embedded tax losses, and then when selling pressure recedes in January, prices of these stocks rebound. The amount of this rebound varies with the size of the embedded capital gain, or the “overhang.” This paper hypothesizes that for a given level of capital gains overhang, stock return seasonality should depend on both capital gains tax rates and on interest rates.

The paper includes a good example that clarifies the intuition behind the analysis:

Option 1: Sell the stock at $4 on 12/31 –>This would generate a capital loss of $96 and offer a tax deduction of $14.40 (15%*$96). Thus, the total present value is $18.40 ($4+$14.40.)

Option 2: Wait to sell the stock on 1/1 –> The tax benefit won’t occur until one year later and thus must be discounted by the appropriate one-year interest rate. Assuming the interest rate is 5.00%, and the total PV (present value) of the tax benefit one year later is $17.71 ($4+$15%*96/1.05).

Thus, waiting until 1/1 to sell the stock results in a PV loss of $0.69, as compared with selling it on 12/31. This example illustrates that the time value of money impacts tax-motivated selling, but critically, it also depends on the level of interest rates! Recall the opportunity cost of not earning 5.00% interest on the tax savings.

In the above example, what’s the price that would make the investor indifferent between selling in 12/31 versus 1/1? To be indifferent, the present value of selling today must equal the present value of selling next year. The following equation allows us to answer this question: P-15%*(P-$100) = $4-15%*($4-$100)/1.05. Solving for P in this equation yields $3.19.

Thus, for a rational investor:

Below $3.19, he would delay selling the stock;

At $3.19, he would be indifferent;

Above $3.19, he would sell now rather than waiting.

This time-series variation of the tax benefit was ignored in previous literature and the authors devise a novel empirical prediction: “As interest rates rise, our formulation predicts that the January effect should reappear.”

Predictable Seasonal Effects

We are huge believers in tax minimization and tax consequences influence our decision-making. As this paper highlights, many other professionals are concerned about the same thing, and this creates predictable seasonality effects. What is interesting and unique about this paper is how the authors map the size of the tax-related seasonality to interest rates, or opportunity cost of capital. Interesting stuff for the geeks in the crowd!

DISCLOSURE:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer